La Araucanía Region has worked hard during the last seven years to give a place to field hockey; continuous development, increase of number of players, positioning in schools and universities, education and competition have been the key for hockey growth. No doubt that the increase in number of players and the introduction of sport in the educational community has encouraged Teachers and Physical Education Students to get involved.
Field Hockey landed in the region, more than seven years ago; in 2006 when, to everybody’s surprise this sport started to impact on mentors and players training, and on the development of competitions. Hockey started with female teams, mainly with players from English schools who participated in tournaments outside the region.
But this attractive sport immediately encouraged a group of enthusiastic Physical Education Teachers and Students who made the hockey revolution in La Araucanía, placing projects at universities and schools, building liaisons with the FEHOCH (Federación Chilena de Hockey Sobre Césped) and experienced teams within the country, adding male players and promoting hockey in small cities where sport was unknown.
Competition has always been difficult, as climate does not help natural grass pitches that still are used, but motivation and the strong will of growing remained strong, and made possible to achieve successful hockey seasons on this surface.
At present hockey in La Araucanía is played on different surfaces: indoor, natural grass , synthetic turf (of soccer), and concrete; weather conditions, heavy rains throughout the year makes difficult to play on natural grass all year round. Synthetic pitches in the region are shared with soccer.
The LIHOTE (Temuco’s Hockey League) is played from April to November. Only female teams participate of this league. The League consists of two simultaneous competitions:
1. TEMUCO’S HOCKEY LEAGUE
2. TEMUCO ‘S CUP
Universities and Schools from Temuco, Valdivia, Villarrica and Angol participate of this league and teams are grouped based on age.
Universities from cities of the Southern Region also play Seven vs. Seven hockey, grouped in the LIDESUP and UNISUR Championships.
Thou in small numbers male players have a place in the Southern Region. Little by little male participants are involving more players. At present they play in the Temuco League no matter their age as introduction at schools is still at an early stage.
Pitrufquén, Gorbea, Angol and Los Ángeles are some of the small cities where different projects are now in place pointing to spread the sport and increase the number of players. Hopefully these projects will achieve their goals in a short time.
It is surprising that one of the poorest regions of the country has developed hockey so strongly, as it was once considered an elite sport. At present, this is one of the most important “hockey areas” in the country, as it produced a number of players for the National teams.
Hopefully 2013 will bring good news for “southern” hockey. Lack of resources and equipment makes difficult to achieve a professional approach; there is a great need of synthetic pitches an accessible Goal keeper equipment to develop the sport.
On the other hand, the Hockey Association project is still struggling to find and agree a plan. This Association will be the key to develop, plan and give an adequate structure to our hockey.
